Opioid Pain Control Drugs like Opioids: Are They Effective for Back Pain?

05/15/2018

Opioids are in the news. The Ashburn opioid
epidemic is a big issue. Opioids are
prescribed for pain relief of all sorts of pain. Opioids for back
pain relief are common. But today, non-drug
alternatives are in demand. Non-drug alternative care like Ashburn
chiropractic care reduces the Ashburn back
pain these opioids have been prescribed for and often minus
the bad side-effects.

DRUG USE BEFORE BACK SURGERY

Pharmacological treatment possibilities
– drugs – for reducing chronic low back pain are the focus of
much attention today. Researchers scrutinize
these and other options as to what works best to
help Ashburn back pain patients. The
effect of drugs like oxycodone (an opioid drug), clobazam and imipramine on
chronic low back pain are difficult to predict. One
article proposed that patients who are more sensitive to hot
and cold respond better to imipramine. (1) Another stated
that electroacupuncture was more cost effective than NSAIDs
and suggested as an alternative for chronic low back pain treatment. (2) A third
explained that most drugs - paracetamol (acetaminophen),
NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and other
(new) drugs - offered small to moderate and short lasting effects compared with
placebo. And there were side-effects. (3) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn cares for many Ashburn
back pain sufferers seeking pain relief without drugs. And the Ashburn
chiropractic care is helpful for most.

DRUG USE AFTER BACK SURGERY

Ashburn chronic low back pain guides
some sufferers to lumbar spine fusion surgery. Patients who go this route to
deal with their back pain often take
opioids prior to surgery hoping – even expecting – that they will not need
opioids after the surgery. Reality is different. 77.1% of pre-operative opioid
patients continued to use opioids long-term post-operatively: 13.8% of them used
opioids off and off; 9.1% discontinued using them or used them for a
short time after surgery. Of patients who had not used
opioids before surgery, 34.4% used a lower dose after surgery, and 44.8% used
a higher long-term dose. 12.8% became long-term consumers of
opioids. The researchers decided that lumbar spine
fusion infrequently stopped
the long-term opioid use and actually increased the risk of using
them long-term.(4) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn offers Ashburn chiropractic care
both pre-operatively and post-operatively to reduce Ashburn
back pain and for some prevent Ashburn back surgery.

ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS FOR BACK PAIN

What are the options for Ashburn back pain
patients if opioids are to be avoided? Guidelines have been developed for opioid
alternatives. Cost, intervention availability, and patient preferences are
considered. First and foremost education and reassurance that Ashburn
back pain relief is possible and advice to remain active is important. The Ashburn low
back pain sufferer would benefit from learning
more about how to care for pain on their own. For acute
low back pain and neck pain patients without
any serious underlying issue, exercise, manual
therapy, heat and NSAIDs are suggested. For chronic low back
pain sufferers who do not present with serious underlying
issues, exercise, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback,
relaxation, massage, manual therapy, rehab, NSAIDS, acetaminophen and
antidepressants are suggested. Patients with radiculopathy (sciatic
leg pain) can use exercise, spinal manipulation, or NSAIDS. Benzodiazepines,
botulinum toxin injection, systemic corticosteroids, cervical collar,
electrical muscle stimulation, diathermy, TENS and traction are not recommended
due to research revealing uselessness.(5) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn offers Ashburn chiropractic care including Cox
Technic flexion distraction decompression treatment that is research-documented
to be successful for Ashburn back pain relief.

Schedule your Ashburn chiropractic appointment
with Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn today. The opioid epidemic may be curbed for
Ashburn back pain sufferers who choose Ashburn
chiropractic care at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn…and chiropractic may become the opioid-alternative news!

"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page."

About Us

Cox Technic

Call us to set up an appointment: Herndon (703) 561-0600 Ashburn (703) 723-4040

About Our Chiropractic Practice

Our practice at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn focuses on chiropractic wellness as well as relief of pain, particularly spine pain and its related conditions. We provide comprehensive care for back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, arm pain, leg pain, and injuries to the body from a car accident, sports injury or other causes. Our chiropractic practice respectfully serves the Ashburn area. We have been serving the area since 1993, over 25 years in the Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. We pride ourselves on being patient-oriented and responsive to your needs be they about insurance filing or appointment making or your health and healing. We provide individualized treatment plans to meet your specific needs. We also serve the Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C and Pennsylvania areas. We greatly appreciate all of you who have chosen Poulin Chiropractic and drive from afar for your quality chiropractic care!